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Amazon.co.uk Review
This all-girl band of post-punk pioneers briefly enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the early 1990s, thanks to Kurt Cobain's championing of them on the sleeve-notes of Nevermind, and a subsequent tour with Nirvana. This 1979 album, reissued in 1993, is a timely reminder of their unique sound and influence. A triumph of lo-fi amateurism over musicianship, the Raincoats took as their blueprint sound a harsh blend of clashing guitar, shrill violin and ramshackle drumming; but could still fashion songs of the most heart-breaking beauty out of such crude materials. Like Gang of Four and other proto-political punk bands of the late 1970s, the Raincoats would frequently employ a fierce political agenda, with songs such as "The Professionals", which angrily tells of soldiers raping girls. Elsewhere, "Fairytale In A Supermarket" is extraordinarily emotional; while a cover of The Kink's "Lola" sung by two girls flirts with sexual ambiguity. Their cult status is assured. --Amber Cowan
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
How have I lived without this album for so long (ever since my original copy walked)? All right, some (post) punk bands adopted a veneer of amateurishness because it was that moment, but for the Raincoats, this is the way they HAD to sound. The Velvets with Nico are probably the closest comparison (and the Joy Division of 'Atrocity Museum') - same spare, lo-fi, 'can't be bothered to play or sing too precisely' - but in the end Raincoats are unique and utterly authentic. The sound of slightly odd, original, transparently sincere people making the music that they believe in without calculating for a moment its potential commercial appeal or likely effect on the uptight, the hidebound, and other waders in the mainstream is always refreshing; when the band is as quirky and funny and honest as the Raincoats it's endearing and faith-reviving as well. In a dark dead-end alley in a deserted former industrial district of Sheffield there's a facility with no sign on the door; inside, people who don't get bands like this are exposed to a continuous loop of old John Peel programmes until they attain Zen enlightenment. They get a free copy of 'Can't Stand the Rezillos' when they check out.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Any one seeking 'perfectly crafted pop perfection' can look away now because this album provides music that is energetically wild, and chaotic, bordering on the ramshackle. But that's the point; It's supposed to be like that!
The album was, perhaps, best known for the cover of 'Lola', before Kurt Cobain and Kim Gordon heaped praised on them in the early '90s, but that is just one of the highlights the album, and it is after that track that the album really get interesting as a slower more Velvets/art rock vibe is introduced. The use of scratchy violin lends a manic punk-folk edge to some of the tunes and there is an surprisingly complex mixture of musical styles here. It isn't perfect, but music like this isn't about perfection.
If I had to compare it to anyone, I would say maybe, The Slits or Gang of Four.
At the time of writing, this album was unavailable on Amazon but I discovered that it(and all the other Raincoats Albums)can be obtained(new!)from the Rough Trade shop(by post or online)and for sensible money. So go on, treat yourself.
The album was, perhaps, best known for the cover of 'Lola', before Kurt Cobain and Kim Gordon heaped praised on them in the early '90s, but that is just one of the highlights the album, and it is after that track that the album really get interesting as a slower more Velvets/art rock vibe is introduced. The use of scratchy violin lends a manic punk-folk edge to some of the tunes and there is an surprisingly complex mixture of musical styles here. It isn't perfect, but music like this isn't about perfection.
If I had to compare it to anyone, I would say maybe, The Slits or Gang of Four.
At the time of writing, this album was unavailable on Amazon but I discovered that it(and all the other Raincoats Albums)can be obtained(new!)from the Rough Trade shop(by post or online)and for sensible money. So go on, treat yourself.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you love punk then you should check this album out. One of the best all female bands ever. Sadly out of print this gem will grow on you.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
lopsided wonky charm
It sounds like they had never played their instruments before. but don't let that fool you. The whole thing has a lopsided charm to it. Read more
Published on 10 Sep 2009 by C. Sutton
dr zen go away the raincoats are here to stay
what the 1 star guy forgot to mention was his/her lack of taste in music. the raincoats, like the slits, put their own feminist twist on punk, creating not just their own style but... Read more
Published on 5 Jun 2007 by D. N. Z. AQUINO
Rain, rain go away
What the Amazon reviewer forgot to mention is that it's entirely unlistenable. It sounds like a small pack of angry children are fighting outside a school-age band's first... Read more
Published on 16 Aug 2005 by Dr Zen
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